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T O P I C R E V I E W

jerseyboy

At the New Jersey show I handed Buzz Aldrin the Franklin Mint Lunar Module base to autograph and add Apollo XI, after he signed it he said "Oh crap, I wrote Apollo XII instead of Apollo XI".

Robert Pearlman who was sitting with Buzz during the signing told me what to use to take off the extra number.

I also gave it to Alan Bean to sign, he saw Buzz's mistake and showed it to Dick Gordon who was sitting with him during the show and Dick joked "Now Buzz is trying to take credit for our mission too."

My question is do I leave it on and keep it as a rare mistake or do I try to take off the extra number and try not to damage the base. What would other collectors do. I have no intentions of ever selling it and hope one day to pass it on to my children. Any suggestions?

collshubby

If you do not plan on selling it, keep it the way it is. Now, every time you show it to someone you have a great story to go with it!

Rizz

Absolutely! Keep it there. What a great story.

dss65

I agree--keep it! A conversation piece for all time.

mdmyer

Would there be enough room to add Richard Gordon's quote to the base?

mensax

I agree, don't touch it... and get Gordon to inscribe it with his comment.

One of the joys of our collectibles are the memories behind them. The pieces that make you smile are the greatest.

1202 Alarm

Idea: Go on Gordon's website at dickgordon.com and remind him the story (maybe with a photo of the base). Then buy him a 8x10 asking him to write "now he's taking credit for XII!" or something like that on it. It will be perfect and a good end to your story.

To sell this in 20 years through Sotheby's, it's another thing, but as you said, you don't intend to do so, therefore it's great like that. I envy you!

jerseyboy

Mike, that's a great idea about having Dick Gordon add his quote, I'll probably bring it to San Antonio next year. I should have mentioned that my girlfriend was taking photos of Buzz when he was signing the base, and one photo is when he realizes he made the mistake. Priceless.

Moonwalker1954

Steve, I was there when Al Bean showed your base to Dick but I had no idea of what they were talking about. Now I know!

I agree with the guys, keep it like this, it is "unique".

Jurg Bolli

Funny story, but personally I would take it off.

fabfivefreddy

I would have Gordon sign it with the joke. It will make a cool conversation piece and will not hurt its value.

Rizz

quote:Originally posted by jerseyboy:I should have mentioned that my girlfriend was taking photos of Buzz when he was signing the base, and one photo is when he realizes he made the mistake. Priceless.

Can you post it?

jerseyboy

I am still in New Jersey, so I won't be able to post photos until the middle of September when I return to Kansas. I also have photos of Alan Bean, Ed Mitchell and Dave Scott also signing the base, unfortunately Dave Scott's autograph on the base got a little smudged due to the paint pen ink not drying fast enough on the base.